In My Own Write

Two very precious “gifts” were born Twenty years, plus a few more They joined a man and woman To became a family of four. The gifts were two small brothers And they were exceptionally blessed To be sent to such wonderful parents Who rarely got much rest! As these tiny sons grew Into energetic little boys They’d run and play inside and out With their many interesting toys. Yet, when their mother read to them They could be so very still Soon, this daily occurrence Made them early readers, at will. Their father would go off to work Their mother had much to do But the most important assignment she had Was loving and nurturing these two. They both grew up to be fine young men Awarding their parents with great pride Which all can be attributed To loving discipline and close family ties. Years would pass; things would change Their mother grew gravely ill In spite of all the pain she felt She displayed her strongest will They returned home and stayed awhile To be close and share memories They had while they were growing up These special moments were meant to be. They’d sit quietly and read to her In thanks for the times she took To read practically every story From all their childhood books. An important lesson can be learned here That is, “Treasure All Precious Time” Show abundant and heartfelt gratitude As we are the ones left behind. M. Clary February 2004

What shall I say to you, who is hurting? How might I help you to heal? Where in your mind seeks that comfort, When the pain is so deep and so real? Do I say, "I am so very saddened; I know you have suffered great loss?" Or simply say, "I'll cry with you," And help you to carry your cross. Many others will share this pain with you And will grieve for the passing of your wife. They’ll mourn for the mother your sons lost, Wondering the "whys" of her shortened life. Yet, what you must forever remember Is to hold on to those memories, strong. For it is here in the depth of your being, They'll provide you the strength to go on. Forget not, all the love her heart carried, The determination displayed; how she fought. She battled one of life's greatest illnesses, But more time just could not be bought. Next, take all her inspiration and remember Her smile….her laughter….her will. Know that her spirit will never leave you, Channeling a goodness only she can fill. Live each and every day and treasure it Knowing that she would want you to. It doesn’t mean you’ll forget her or ever will As this was her expectation of you. Thinking back to her final act of courage, She hoped you would truly believe That she was eternally grateful You gave her your ”permission to leave.” M.Clary February, 2004

Christ, Our Lord has rewarded you With a very special calling To nourish and to feed His sheep And rescue some from falling He sends you special messages That no one else can hear This life’s choice you have followed Is a heavenly-rewarding career As you begin each day with prayer No doubt, you are truly led Wisdom pours forth from your heart And not just from your head You view each soul upon this earth As quite worthy to be loved This is what Father God asks of you Guiding them, toward His Son above You may be known for your ministry To your family: sister, brother, mother, father Yet the richest treasure bestowed on you Is your investment in the lives of others Continue on a journey, blessed Rest assured in your humbleness His faithfulness is always there And He will never love you less M. Clary October, 2003

The Evolution Of A Fellowship – And How This Little Church Began…And Grew In our early beginnings – we were rather small With a handful of worshipers – answering God’s call We banded all together – though limited in space To give honor, praise, and glory – to a Lord so full of grace We did feel very humbled – yet, had a common goal To grow into a fellowship – and nurture every soul As the days and months passed – our gatherings increased With such virtuous leadership – Our Lord seemed very pleased It was at that very time – we felt His inspiration Changes soon would come to pass – for the ongregation: “All Nations” A search began for a permanent place – He had paved the way We celebrated with ‘open doors’ – in 2001, on Palm Sunday Now just 5 years later – we wonder where time went And with our evolving ministries – our time has been well spent We feed the homeless, tend the aged – and we know He hears us sing We pray for growth and wisdom – and we glorify Our King But perhaps the strongest bond of all – is the diversity we share Our premise is it matters not – our color, culture, or what we wear What counts is how we love one another – to this we are resigned To always be “Christian by Faith – Diverse by Design” So as we celebrate this day – opening wide our worship doors It shall not be of concern – if one is rich or poor For all who enter are welcomed – as all souls have a need For it is here that Christ will live – in every single seed M. Clary January 11, 2004

JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL© HOW OFTEN WE HAVE HEARD THE WORDS — JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL THOUGH RECENTLY, IN CURRENT EVENTS — CRITICS FOCUS ON THE FAIL WE SENT OUR SOLDIERS IN TO BATTLE — A DIFFERENT KIND OF VICE TO HELP A CULTURE UNDERSTAND — TRUE FREEDOM HAS A PRICE SOME VIEW US AS INVADERS — MANY DO NOT WANT US THERE YET WHEN A LOVED ONE IS CHOSEN FOR SLAY — THE WAILINGS ARE HARD TO BEAR A REMORSELESS TYRANT HAS PERSEVERED — TWO SONS WOULD EMULATE THEY TORTURED AND MURDERED CITIZENS — SOULS FILLED WITH GREED AND HATE THE DAILY ANGST CONTINUED — SOON THE WEAPONS BEGAN TO SOUND FINALLY TWO SONS WERE SLAIN — A REIGN OF TERROR HAD RUN AGROUND BUT THIS LEADER WAS MOST CLEVER — ELUDING CAPTORS AT ALL COST UNTIL ONE OF HIS OWN RECALLED — THE NEAR-HALF MILLION LIVES LOST SOME SPECULATED IT WAS THE RANSOM — PLACED UPON THE PRIZED ONE’S HEAD THAT LED TO THE FINAL CAPTURE — OF THE EVIL MANY HAD DREAD   GREAT SOLDIERS OF 4TH INFANTRY — SPECIAL OPS SO BRAVELY-LED HAD ORDERS TO LOCATE THE MAN — BRING HIM IN, ALIVE OR DEAD WHEN THE TROOPS HAD FOUND HIM — “I’M SADDAM, PRESIDENT OF IRAQ” HE’D INSIST BUT LIKE THE IGNOBLE BEING HE WAS — HE ATTEMPTED NOT TO RESIST IN THE PAST, HE WOULD PROUDLY BOAST — “ALIVE, I WON’T BE TAKEN!” YET HIS COWARDICE WAS QUITE OBVIOUS — AND HE APPEARED SOMEWHAT SHAKEN NOW IN ARMED FORCES CUSTODY — FACING FIERCE INTERROGATION HIS FAMILY SPEAKS OF INNOCENCE — AFFORDING THE BEST LEGAL REPRESENTATION HIS CRIMES OF TERROR AND GENOCIDE — MUST NEVER BE DISREGARDED FOR FAR TOO MANY INNOCENTS — WERE SO BRUTALLY DISCARDED THE QUESTION NOW REMAINS FOR ALL — HOW TO SETTLE THIS SCORE? WHEN SO MANY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY — PURE MALICE AT ITS CORE WE TRULY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND — A MIND SO HORRIBLY MAD SO WE MUST PRAY JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL – FOR THE “BUTCHER OF BAGHDAD.” M. Clary December, 2003